military spousal employment

Pentagon officials have formed a working group to consider ways to loosen restrictions preventing military spouses from operating a broad range of businesses out of on-base housing. The primary barrier limiting spouses’ entrepreneurial options is the requirement that an installation’s morale, welfare and recreation services and local exchanges review prospective businesses that would operate out of any government-owned buildings, including on-base housing. If a business would conflict with any of those organizations, the application likely would be denied …

A survey released this week by Blue Star Families underscored rising concerns about financial security experienced by military families stemming from the difficulty encountered by military spouses searching for employment, cuts in military benefits and uncertainty about the impact of force reductions. There’s a theme of “eyes on the exits,” said Cristin Orr Shiffer, deputy director of research and policy for the nonprofit Blue Star Families, which has been producing its annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey for six years. “There are a lot of conversations around the dinner table about whether to stay in or get out …

Despite being more educated than their peers, military spouses are experiencing 26 percent unemployment, with the problem of underemployment likely exacerbating the problem. And for spouses that are employed, there is a 42 percent wage gap across professions in comparison to their civilian counterparts …

A Durham, N.C.-based firm will be launching its career-building platform at Fort Bragg, N.C., and Fort Hood, Texas, to connect military spouses with information on careers, education and job openings. Pipeline, developed by Futures Inc., offers a comprehensive overview of nearly 1,000 careers identified by the Department of Labor …